Never Judge

"Have all non-combatants been evacuated?" Cedric asked over the radio as he watched the images being sent back from their men and the drones that now flew above the convent.

"Yes, sir. Sister Emilia has confirmed that all the residents of the convent are now at the Lobo mansion." Cedric heard Ian say over the radio.

"Good, let's begin." Cedric ordered.

He was watching through Ray's camera.

Cedric had decided to stay at the command center with Camilla, Benedict, and a few other technical support.

Miguel was waiting at a midway point where they had set up a makeshift hospital for those that would be injured in the fighting. This time he would have the help of several military doctors and nurses.

"There are more of us." Miguel had told Cedric as he tried to help his friend get over the worry and guilt that some men may die from today's encounter. "There are doctors from the military, you know that they are some of the best. It's better that we take Aiden now, rather than letting him hurt more people, kill more people."

Cedric sighed at the memory, Miguel was right, letting Aiden walk meant risking the lives of even more people. It wasn't just those that he loved that were at risk, anyone and everyone that Aiden deemed as a tool he could use or as a threat was in danger.

Aiden needed to be captured and brought to justice today.

"Cedric, Ced." Camilla said, calling Cedric back from his thoughts.

"Yes?" Cedric asked as he looked at Camilla and Benedict, who had come and approached him from their stations.

"We have a request." Camilla said in a shy tone.

"Something is off. You are never hesitant to ask." Cedric said, raising an eyebrow at his former assistant.

"Because it might not make sense to you." Camilla said with a frown. "Just know that I've thought this through, I really have. You know I would never make any stupid requests."

Cedric took a deep breath and nodded, he was now nervous that Camilla would ask him to let Aiden go. People did say that blood was thicker than water, and a part of him could understand why Camilla may ask for Aiden's freedom.

"Promise you will hear me out first." Camilla insisted.

"You've been speaking too much with my wife." Cedric complained.

"It's not my fault we become friends. As a matter of fact I've known your wife longer than you've known her." Camilla said, laughing at Cedric's annoyed expression.

"What is it?" Cedric asked, shifting the topic away from his wife.

"After we capture my older brother, we want to speak to him." Camilla asked nervously. "I promise we won't try to change him, but I need answers. Cedric."

Cedric suddenly burst out laughing, earning him curious looks from the people in the command center.

"What?" Camilla grumbled as she glared at Cedric.

"Camilla, maybe you shouldn't glare at Cedric." Benedict said, tugging on his sister's dress. He still feared and respected Cedric even if Camilla said that the CEO was actually quite nice.

"Cedric Reyes, you better stop laughing at me or I will call Adrianna and Ayanna!" Camilla threatened.

"First of all, Ayanna doesn't scare me." Cedric said with a grin as he sat up and gathered himself. "As for my wife, don't you dare drag her into this Camilla."

"Fine, fine." Camilla said, raising her hands in surrender.

"Camilla, if all you want to do is to speak to Aiden, then yes I can arrange for that. It isn't an issue." Cedric said with a grin. "I honestly thought you were going to ask me to set him free."

"What? No!" Camilla said, vigorously shaking her head.

"Cedric, even I agree that my brother is too dangerous to be kept free." Benedict said.

"Aiden has hurt too many people." Camilla said, shaking her head. "Even if he had the chance of changing, I don't think keeping him out here with others would help."

"That's good." Cedric said with a relieved smile. "Because I wasn't sure how I would deny your request if you asked me to set him free."

"We would never." Camilla promised.

"Alright. I'll arrange for you to have time to speak with Aiden." Cedric said with a nod. "I'm not sure which prison Alexi plans to have him placed at, but as soon as I find out I'll give the both of you some details."

"Thank you." Camilla said as she dragged Benedict away, taking him back to their spot.

"We'll be entering the convent grounds in a few minutes. Keep all lines open." Cedric heard Alexi order.

Cedric watched as the gates of the compound neared. Several of his men approached, some covering those with chain cutters, making sure that none of Aiden's men were watching over the entrance.

As the chains locking the gates were cut, Cedric suddenly heard gunshots go off.

He couldn't help but sit up as he watched some of the men fall.

After a few seconds Ray's voice was heard over the radio.

"We've entered the compound. We have two injuries but no fatalities." Ray announced.

Cedric breathed a sigh of relief as Ray informed them that the men were just injured and not dead.

"There were four men on their side that were watching over the gate." Ray informed Cedric over the radio. "All four are dead, we will have them identified later and their bodies will be collected and sent to their families."

"Alright. Proceed." Cedric said, acknowledging Ray's report.

Cedric watched as his men pushed into the convent.

"Surround the perimeter, make sure no one escapes." Cedric heard Ray order as the men began to move silently, covering all exits, making sure that there was someone watching the windows as well.

"People might try jumping off the 2nd floor as well. Keep your eyes peeled." Ray said over the radio.

"Copy." Cedric heard several team leaders say over the radio.

"Move in." Alexi ordered.

Cedric could see as several men rushed into the entrance. It was silent, all Cedric could hear was Ray's breathing and nearby footsteps.

Suddenly there was chatter once more on the radio.

"The whole building is clear. There was no one inside." Someone announced. "I repeat, the building is clear. It was empty."

Cedric's face suddenly turned pale at the news. Where was Aiden?